Julen Lopetegui talks signings

Julen Lopetegui has played it cool on transfer links to PSG duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid were linked with PSG superstars Neymar and Mbappe after losing Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus back in July.

And Lopetegui has now been asked about Neymar and Mbappe again despite both players being away on international duty.

“An interest in Neymar and Mbappe? I will not talk about players who are not part of my team, it would be disrespectful,” Lopetegui said.

“I like [Gareth] Bale, [Karim] Benzema and Lucas Vasquez. Neymar and Mbappe are two fantastic players, but I do not pay attention, they are not in my team.”

Real Madrid news: Neymar has been tipped to leave PSG (Image: GETTY)

Lionel Messi warning

Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has warned Lionel Messi not to underestimate his side in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

Messi yesterday claimed Los Blancos would be weaker without their talisman, who joined Juventus for £105million back in July.

He said: "Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world with a great squad (but) it's evident that the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus (one of the) clear favourites to win the Champions League.”

But Lopetegui said today: "I wouldn't doubt these Real Madrid players for a second.”

Club World Cup…

European champions Real Madrid will face either Mexican side Guadalajara or the eventual Asian champions in the semi-finals of this year's Club World Cup following the draw made at FIFA headquarters today.

Real and the eventual South American champions received byes to the last four of the seven-team tournament, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Oceania champions Team Wellington will meet Al Ain, champions of the host nation, in a preliminary match for the right to play eventual African champions in the second round.

Whoever comes through that match will face the winners of South America's Libertadores Cup, which is currently at the quarter-final stage and will be decided on November 28.